Aston Church Hall

ASTON PARISH CHURCH
HALL

The Church Hall stood at the top of Chesterfield Road,
Swallownest, on the site now occupied by the Swallownest Nursing
Home. It was opened sometime (I think) in the 1920’s and, for
many years, was the centre of Church social activities. It also
housed the Children’s Clinic for many years and was used
during the periods of rationing for the distribution of new ration
books.

It was particularly busy during the Second World War when the
nearby Miners’ Welfare Hall was commandeered as an emergency
first aid centre. Regular dances were held there, concerts given by
visiting concert parties and the stage was also used by amateur
drama groups including Aston Church Players (run by Billie Oates,
one of the Church wardens) and the Swallownest Dramatic Society
(run by William Bailey, a teacher at Swallownest School).

In the 1950’s and 60’s, there was a thriving Church
Youth Club there, led by the Swallownest Postmaster, Norman Walker
and the Hall was also used for Church Socials, Christmas Fairs,
Choir and other parties and for more serious events such as Church
Council and Mothers’ Union meetings.

Sadly, the Hall started to suffer from structural damage, mainly
due to probelms with parts of its foundations. It was sold to an
engineering firm which was desperate for premises to market its
product, a wing mirror which doubled as a radio aerial. The firm
eventually ceased trading and the building was demolished.

The following photographs illustrate some of the Hall’s
activities with names of people given as far as they can be
recalled. Any additonal names (or corrections) would be
welcomed.